Short stories about the lives of the residents of Camden Corners. A village in Upstate New York at the beginning of the 20th Century. You will meet old friends time and again and new friends and neighbors with each story. Share the many tales of love, romance, family and friends as well as a few mysteries thrown in for good measure.
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Monday, January 9, 2012

The Pringles~Part 2

Chris walked Rudy
until they were both tired and thirsty. Maybe a little lager would
taste good right now. Priscilla was filling in for the church
organist and she and the choir members were practicing for the
Wednesday Evening Summer concert. Chris didn't like going home to
an empty apartment so he and Rudy stopped at O'Sullivan's Pub. Rudy
was such a well behaved dog he was welcome in the pub. Chris didn't
remember Rudy ever growling, especially at humans but he was
certainly growling at the man sitting at the corner of the bar.
Well, if it wasn't the stranger who had been walking by the water
earlier. Chris nodded hello and tried to calm Rudy with a doggie
treat he had in his pocket. Eb, obviously well into his cups, was
keeping a close eye on Rudy. He didn't like dogs and this one was
none to friendly.

It was time he was
getting back to his search. Just as he walked in front of Rudy, he
slipped on Rudy's doggie treat and fell forward catching his
shirtsleeve on the edge of the bar stool. Chris felt terrible about
the mishap and insisted the stranger come home with him. Priscilla
would be home by now and she was a whiz with a needle and thread. Eb
was none to steady on his feet and gave in letting Chris escort him
from the bar. Rudy was still unsure of this stranger but stopped his
growling.

Priscilla was
indeed home and was happy to stitch the strangers shirt. Chris
thought a cup of coffee might be in order for their guest. By the
time the coffee was ready, Eb was sound to sleep in Chris' favorite
chair. Afternoon turned into evening and Eb was still asleep.
Priscilla covered him with a blanket and the Pringles called it a
night.

In the morning Eb
woke up not remembering where he was or how he got there. He slowly
remembered that he was looking for the pouch with the jewels inside
when he decided he needed a little liquid refreshment. He really
needed to concentrate on finding those jewels. Seems like the jolly
old goat had a jolly wife too. How Eb hated jolly people. Here
they were offering him a breakfast of eggs, pancakes and sausages.
He should just leave but the food smelled so good he couldn't get
himself to walk out the door.

Eb was silent as he
wolfed down three helpings of pancakes and a half dozen eggs. He
happened to glance over towards the breakfront. He caught sight of
what looked like Christmas ornaments. What is this crazy woman doing
with Christmas ornaments at this time of year. Priscilla noticed Eb
looking at the ornaments. He hadn't said more than two words since
he had arrived yesterday. Priscilla told him what the ornaments were
for, he glanced at them again and noticed sparkling red noses on the
Santas.

He arose from his
chair to get a better look and thought “Holy Smoke those are my
jewels. What has Mrs. Jolly done with my jewels?”

Eb knew he had to
calm down and figure out how he was going to get his jewels back even
if it meant he would have to take those stupid ornaments with him.
Suddenly, his whole demeanor changed. He admired the ornaments and
enthused when Priscilla told him how she had found those pretty
stones by the lake.

He was fit to be
tied. Why didn't that old biddy just leave the pouch for him to
find. He just had to get them back, clean them up and get them to
his boss, Ronald Crump before Mr. Crump arranged for Eb to be buried
in clay himself.

Eb listened
patiently as Priscilla recited the names on each and every ornament
and described each and every child in the town of Camden Corners.
Priscilla knew Eb was a little hard around the edges but she
suspected he was softening up hearing about the children and
Christmas in Camden Corners .

Chris came up the
stairs after taking Rudy out for a short walk and opening the shop.
Eb watched as Priscilla packed up the ornaments for storage in the
basement until it was time to present them to the children.
Priscilla carried the container down the two flights of stairs. Eb
started following but was stopped at the basement door by Rudy who
was looking suspiciously at him. Eb wanted to kick the dumb mutt out
of the way but his fear stopped him. He would find a way to get into
that basement even if it meant he would have to hide in the bushes
next to the shop.

Eb was out the door
without so much as a fare thee well to the Pringles. What a strange
man Priscilla thought but nothing, not even a grouchy old man could
put a damper on such a glorious day.